Ethical Implications of Socially Sensitive Research

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Flashcards for AO1 and AO3 of ethical implications of SSR
Ellie Harvey
Flashcards by Ellie Harvey, updated more than 1 year ago
Ellie Harvey
Created by Ellie Harvey about 2 years ago
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Question Answer
What are ethical implications? They are the impacts that research may have on the participants, this is also the impact on a societal level, such as influence on social policy and perception of groups
Why do ethical issues usually occur? When there is a conflict between the validity of results and the preservation of the participant's rights and dignity
What is socially sensitive research? This is research that is controversial and socially sensitive because it investigates taboo subjects (such as genetic aspects of criminality)
What does Aronson say about SSR? That psychologists shouldn't avoid SSR, he argued that psychologists have a social responsibility to carry it out.
One example of SSR Hamer et Al's study on the "gay gene" which led to significant negativity and blame for the AIDs crisis.
Which researchers identified 3 areas to consider in SSR? Sieber and Stanley
What 3 areas did Sieber and Stanley identify? - Implications - Uses/ Policy - Validity
What did they mean by "implications"? Give one example of a study that did not consider this area - This is the wider effects of research, whether it gives scientific justification to prejudiced notions - Example: Studies on the genetic basis of intelligence. Shockey's study claimed that there was a genetic reason for black people scoring lower on IQ tests that white people
What did they mean by "uses/ policy"? Give an example of how research may have affected policy - This is how research may have consequences on policy and how it may be used politically - Bowlby's research identified a critical period of 5 years and identified the mother as the primary caregiver. This influenced the UK's childcare policy that doesn't offer free childcare for under 5's as well as indirectly contributing to affecting norms in a court of law - meaning mothers were now more likely to gain custody.
What did they mean by "validity"? Give one example of SSR that lacked validity? - This is referring to when SSR studies claim to be objective but may not be and may even be false. - An example is Burt's study which claimed a genetic basis of intelligence which led to 11+ tests which impacted educational opportunities and lingers today. His research was largely made up.
One evaluation of SSR (Promoting Understanding) A benefit of SSR is that Scarr argues that by studying underrepresented groups the studies could promote greater understanding and sensitivity. She argued this could help reduce prejudice, encouraging acceptance. There have also been instances where SSR has actively benefitted society, for example research into the unreliability of EWTs - which has prevented the miscarriage of justice. This illustrates the valuable role that SSR plays in society when used mindfully in regard to the implications it may have.
One evaluation of SSR (Use by governments/ institutions) An issue of SSR is how it has been used by governments/ institutions and businesses which intend to shape policy and/ or deceive the public such as Burt. A further example is Packard's research (done in the 1950s) that claimed subliminal messaging used in cinemas (flashing images so fast that viewers weren't aware) increased the sales of Coca-Cola and popcorn. This was later proved to be false. Even though this wasn't necessarily harmful the intention of deceiving and manipulating the public in such a way generates significant ethical issues.
One evaluation of SSR (Used for social control) A weakness of SSR is how it has been used politically for social control. For example, in the US during the 20s + 30s many states enforced legislation that allowed compulsory sterilisation of those considered "feeble- minded" - those of low IQ, addicts and the mentally ill. This shows how SSR can give scientific justification to eugenic policies to an extreme and shows how SSR has been used to allow such policies which is an argument against it being of widespread use.
One evaluation of SSR (Framing the question) A consideration that also should be made for SSR is how the research question is framed to reduce the risk of misinterpretation (Sieber and Stanley). Kitzinger and Coyle pointed out that studies looking at "alternative relationships" were guilty of heterosexual bias where homosexuals are judged against straight standards - meaning they may be perceived as abnormal. This suggests that to conduct SSR researchers need to have an open mind and maintain a level of reflexivity to avoid inaccurate portrayal of groups.
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